Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-04-07


Federal Union
He then referred to the growth of St. Louis
and the West, and said:
Your growth. gentlemen. is the growth Of
the Republic. Cheers. In peculiar sense
your growth is the growth of the trans Mis-
sissippi Republic; a Republic which is far
greater one, far grander one, far richer
one than the entire Federal Union when Mis-
souri, became a member of it. And it is in
that great region hitherto and as yet scarcely
developed-it is in that great region that this
city is to have its imperial growth and its
enormous development. With 10000 miles
of river by which you are connected with
steam navigation, with 10000 miles of rail-
way in the old territory of Louisiana, which
did not have one solitary mile when l was
FIRST in this city-wilh all the vast agencies of
transportation, what may not be expected OF
this place? You have that which, as Rep
resentative in Congress. was long since
made familiar with-you have that Jealous
that wa,chful care Of your access to the sea
for " hich the original territory of Louisiana
was purchased under the Administration Of
Jefferson.
1t was to give this Western country access
to the open oceans of the world that the Mis-
sissippi was desired as an American river. and
the people of St. Louis do we'll to jealousy
guard that great outlet to the waters of the
world. But, gentlemen, with all the congrat-
ulations which feel it in my heart to extend
you, with all the compliments which your
immense growth calls from every lip, feel
that | have one reproach against ST Louis.
Sensation. | feel that have one reproach
against this great trans Mississippi Re-
public. little over eighty years ago it be-
longed to foreign Power. and by the mar
rowest possible chance it was kept from fall
ing into the hands of England but the watch
full care, the great nerve and courage, the
statesmanhke grasp of Thomas Jefferson
standing between the embarrassment of
France and the aggressive energy of Great
Britain plucked the whole territory of Louis
lana from the ambition OF both, and made it
American throughout all its borders cheers !;
and that vast domain for which Jefferson
gave SIS 100000 is now represented in seven
great and prosperous States and three large
Territories. which in the course of time will
add tour or five States, possibly. to the
American Union. Never was conquest 40
great, so extensive, acquired by peaceful
methods; never was so great conquest made
by war that conquering power was able TO
hold. Then, let me say, that my reproach
to st Louis-my reprOach to every inhabi
tant of the territory of Louisiana, is that on
its entire surface, which represents a third
part of the United States, there is not statue
raised to the honor of Thomas Jefferson
I Loud cheers. st Louis is the capital, the
and will be tor all time, of that
which was the Territory of Louisiana. will
be forgiven, am sure, for reminding you
that gratitude to the great man who has gone,
gratitude to that great man who, in the an
nails CT those who foundedthe republic, should
stand next to Washington--I will be forgiven,
| am sure, when say that the duty of St.
Louis. the duty of the merchants of ST. Louis
is to erect within your beautiful city statue
Of him who more than any other man created
this empire. Loud cheers
Gentlemen, thank you very sincerely for
your cordial recep ion. Mr.. President am
Indebted to eour words of cour-
tesy. lam here simply as your guest, and 1
am impressed 50 by it that l shall not COM
patience, but with my cordial wishes for
your increased and ever-increasing prospect
ty bid you good-mOrning.
At the conclusion of his speech Mr.. Blaine
held briet levee on the platform, but, the
crowd becoming too great, the committee
took him again in charge and escorted him
back to the reading-room. Not until he had
left the hall did the crowd begin to disperse
Mr.. Blaine and Mr.. Steve B Ekins were
alone in the Lindell Hotel this afternoon.
Mr.. Blaine looked tired, but Mr. Elkns
pranced around with a vigor that bespoke
youth and keen enjoyment.
1--WE have been besieged all day." said Mr.
Elkins, az knock came to the door and
bell boy appeared with salver full of cards
at shows the estimation in which Mr. Blaine
is held by the people. Even here in dem,
cratic Missouri he was accorded a reception
such as few have received"
Mr. Blaine. who had been busy with some
callers at the do r, returned and made some
inquiries regarding the progress of journal
ism in St Louis. An attempt to pilot the
conversation into political channel
was Instructed by Mr. Elkins, who said,
as Mr. Blaine was again called 10 the door,
'He won't talk politics. He is merely a
private gentleman. going through the coun-
try attending to his own business. The pro-
gram, as now arranged. will be this He will
be taken by Mr.. Kerens to Eureka Springs,
where he will stop one day Then he will
go to Fort Gibson and visit his daughter,
staving probably four or five days. From the
Indian Territory he will 90 to Denver and
stop one day, then to Omaha one dav, and
two sons who are in business in Chicago, and
after that he will go to New York and then
home. The 18th of May he will sail for
Europe and be absent year or as long as
his pleasure or repose demand. Then he
will return"
Sat a rather interesting time" was sug-
gested.
"Rather," replied Mr. Elkins Mr. Blaine
feels that be deserves a good rest, and after
his Western trip he will try and find it in
Europe. There is nothing political about
this, and don't beliere that Mr.. Blaine will
make another speech during the entire trip"
"What about Sherman and the future?"
Nothing. We are not interested in pol
tiles, and Mr.. Blaine has absolutely refused
to discuss or refer to political matters. am
here purely on business connected with the
St Louis, Arkansas & Texas Railroad, will
not accompany Mr.. Blaine beyond this point
Mr.. Kerens goes southwest with the party
Mr. Blaine, who had receivpd number of
callers in his private apartment returned,
and said: "What a change the great West is
undergoing"
"You haven't mapped out your European
trip, have your" asked Mr.. Elkins.
'No. I shall travel where impulse directs
pretty much all over the Continent, | pre-
sumo" said Mr.. Blaine.
To night the Blaine party occupied box
at the Olympic. Tomorrow they will be
driven to the different points Of interest
about the city, and Saturday morning will
start for the Southwest.